Photo Courtesy of Christopher MustakasVolunteers from the 28/19 Project stuffed backpacks with school supplies for a give-away Saturday in front of PS 16. From the left are Daniel Bonamo,Brooke Dahl, Chris Figley, Elizabeth Tallaksen, Steven Busari, Barbara Mustakas, and Alyssa Debrosse.

WEST BRIGHTONThe “28/19 Project” is a non-profit organization that worked behind the scenes to help needy North Shore families with children get off to a good start in the new school year.

The grassroots group targeted school families from PS 16, Tompkinsville, and PS 31, New Brighton. On Sept. 4, volunteers sponsored a Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway for students and families from the two schools.

“We have seen the need of families grow each year. Last year, we gave away 50 backpacks filled with school supplies; this year we gave away at least 100,” said coordinator Barbara Mustakas, the founder of the 28/19 Project.

The 28/19 Project operates out of Salem Evangelical Church, West Brighton. It takes its name from the Bible, from the gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 28, Verse 19, in which Jesus directs his disciples to reach out to people of all nations, she explained.

Mrs. Mustakas, a former Ocean Breeze resident who now lives in Brooklyn, began the non-profit two years ago, after she and her son, Matthew, now 24, spent a week in California as volunteers with the Dream Center, a non-profit outreach serving needy families in the Los Angeles area.

“As we served families in need in Los Angeles, we felt a calling to serve those in need on Staten Island’s North Shore. As we sought support at PS 16 and PS 31, the need for help among their students became evident very quickly,” Mrs. Mustakas said.

She said the group works closely with the administration at both schools. “We want to make a difference in this area, strengthening and revitalizing the most important element, and that is the family.”

The non-profit has a core group of about two-dozen volunteers, both adults and students, and works with the youth ministry at Salem to stock its food pantry and organize fund-raisers to raise support and awareness. The group gets donations of food and supplies, but also uses proceeds from the fund-raisers to purchase items.

Needy families from PS 16 and PS 31 are already familiar with the non-profit; in addition to the annual fall backpack giveaway, 28/19 Project volunteers come once a month to the school yards on Saturdays to dispense food, along with fresh vegetables and fruit. “We do a lot of the food shopping ourselves; we buy for them as we would buy for our own families, food that is nutritious as well as healthy,” said Mrs. Mustakas.

For information on the 28/19 Project, the backpack giveaway, or to volunteer or donate supplies, Mrs. Mustakas is the person to contact at 718-213-3810 or by e-mail at barbara10305@hotmail.com.